I used Reader mainly for tumblr, a few tech sites, and ebay (for newly posted auctions). Used the tags to organize tumblr pics and starred things for future reference. Used it both on the desktop and phone. I'm going to miss it immensely.

The only closed Audio Technicas I've heard were the M50, ES7, ESW9, amd A900x. None of them are good for gaming. Also didn't like the A900x for any purpose, though I liked it more than the K550. Both were...meh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impulse

MLE, as far as the A900, is that in relative terms compared to the bevy of open headphones you've tried? Or did you just flat out hate them?

Just curious, since I've often seen them recommended as a decent choice for gamers if you have to go closed, and I actually know a couple people that game with them.

I can't say I've gamed with them myself, but based on short listens I'd probably take them over the M50... Wasn't crazy about either tho.

Haven't heard the K550.

I currently own the A900X and I think they are great for gaming. They have a pretty wide soundstage for a closed back headphone and positional accuracy is very good. When I play Left4dead2 versus mode online, I can easily tell where the Special Infected is spawning and helps me clear them out a lot faster. Highly recommended if you need a closed back for gaming.

So I played some Blops2 with the HE400 hooked up to my avr-254. Hardcore TDM and awareness perk equipped and I was easily able to position all the sounds all around me pretty easily. Explosions and what not get out of the way pretty quickly. Tried sniping... I'm a terrible sniper. Moved to the trusty future AK and did much better. I found the soundstage to be a good size and pretty natural imo. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I would of played some MW2 too but it's in a box somewhere.

I then quickly swapped to my pro2900 (side note: mine are slightly modded by opening one of the holes behind the driver magnet which increases the mid-bass quite a bit). Blops2 just became a lot more immersive. gun shots gave off a pleasurable crack with every shot and the explosions rumbled my head a bit. Soundstage felt smaller. Grenades and helicopters drowned out a lot of what I was trying to listen to. My scores were still decent though for not having played in about 2 months and not playing with my usual friends.

Music wise, I'd say that the HE400 is pretty magical. I love the amount of separation it has, there ain't no bloat or bleed over. I don't know if it's the odac or the HE400 but I'm hearing new things in my usual songs... the Macross Frontier OST. It's brought new life to that OST, like seriously, I'm kinda blown away atm.

As for the pro2900, I'm going to un-mod them later today since I've really forgotten how they used to sound. I was hypnotized by the mid-bass for so long and now I think it's time to go back after hearing the HE400.

Correct me if I’m wrong but the DSS will only output in 7.1 if an analog input is used otherwise it will output in 5.1 (assuming the xbox is set to DD and an optical is used). Is the MixAmp somehow superior since it ups a digital signal to 7.1? I'm somewhat new so apologies ahead of time.

Easy, It's not 7.1. Despite false advertising, you can only get 5.1 from an optical source. However, because Dolby Headphone is so good at what it does, they can label it 20.1 and it wouldn't be far off. Directionality on the Mixamp doesn't have 'speaker cues'. Sound literally comes from anywhere in a 360 around you, horizontally.

Correct me if I’m wrong but the DSS will only output in 7.1 if an analog input is used otherwise it will output in 5.1 (assuming the xbox is set to DD and an optical is used). Is the MixAmp somehow superior since it ups a digital signal to 7.1? I'm somewhat new so apologies ahead of time.

The DSS version 1 does do "7.1" Dolby Headphone, exactly the same as the mixamp, but only if an optical signal is used (again, same as the mixamp).

An analog input means it is upsampling stereo and you only get 4 or 5.1 Pro logic, which is inferior to dolby headphone.

The mixamp and DSS both have the same current chip that does Dolby Pro Logic IIx and upscales Dolby Digital 5.1 signal into Dobly Headphone 7.1